Moth to a Flame

three

The woman, Orm, finally spoke, her voice as soft as the caress of a summer breeze. "You're staring."

Ling felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. She had been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't realized she was openly gawking. "I'm sorry," she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.

Orm offered a small smile, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "It's okay. I'm used to it."

There was a comfortable silence between them, a shared understanding without words. Ling found herself drawn to Orm's aura of quiet confidence. She was different from anyone Ling had ever met, a breath of fresh air in a world that often felt suffocating.

"I'm Ling," she finally managed to introduce herself.

"Orm," the woman replied, extending a hand. Ling took it, feeling a spark of electricity pass between them.

They sat in companionable silence for a few moments, the rhythmic crash of the waves providing a soothing backdrop to their conversation.

"I've been here for a week now," Ling began, breaking the silence. "I needed a break from the city."

Orm nodded, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "I understand. Sometimes, we all need to escape."

Ling found herself drawn to this woman, to the ease with which she seemed to navigate the world. There was a strength and resilience about her that was both inspiring and intimidating.

"You're an artist, aren't you?" Ling ventured, her eyes drawn to the sketchbook tucked into Orm's bag.

Orm smiled. "You're observant."

Ling felt a surge of courage. "Your work is beautiful. I saw some of your pieces in a gallery downtown."

Orm's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? Which ones?"

As they talked, Ling felt a connection forming, a bond that was both unexpected and exhilarating. In Orm's company, she felt seen, understood, and accepted. It was a feeling she had never experienced before.
As their conversation deepened, so too did the connection between Ling and Orm. There was an electric charge in the air, an unspoken understanding that went beyond words. Orm's laughter was like music, filling the quiet space between them. Her eyes, when they met Ling's, held a promise of something more, something forbidden.

Ling found herself drawn to Orm in a way she had never experienced before. There was a raw intensity to their connection, a magnetic pull that was both terrifying and exhilarating. She was caught in a whirlwind of emotions, her heart pounding in her chest.

"You have a way with words," Orm said, her voice soft and husky. "You make even the most ordinary things sound interesting."

Ling blushed, feeling a rush of heat to her cheeks. "Thank you," she managed to stammer out.

Orm leaned in slightly, her breath warm on Ling's skin. "I like it when you blush," she whispered, her voice low and seductive.

Ling's heart skipped a beat. She had never been flirted with in such a direct and brazen manner. It was both intoxicating and terrifying. She felt a surge of desire, a longing she had never known existed.

The night was filled with a charged energy, a silent conversation that spoke volumes. Ling found herself drawn to Orm in a way she couldn't explain. It was as if a part of her had been awakened, a part she had never known existed.

As the moon climbed higher in the sky, casting an ethereal glow over the beach, Ling felt a strange sense of peace. In Orm's company, she felt safe, understood, and undeniably alive.

The morning sun painted the sky in hues of pink and gold as Ling woke to the sound of the ocean. A sense of peace washed over her, a stark contrast to the turmoil she had experienced in the days leading up to her trip. The memory of the previous night with Orm was still fresh in her mind, a sweet and intoxicating dream.